In order to get to the World Cup semifinals, India knew they had to defeat Sri Lanka with ease. Chopra’s stunning period of 4/5 in four overs, which also included a maiden, was a spell of precision and deceit. The crucial dismissal of Sri Lankan skipper Vishmi Gunaratne, who was bowled while moving down the wicket, was one of those. She attempted to use the standard leg-spin move, but Chopra served up a googly, which allowed the ball to slip past Gunaratne and crash into the stumps.
The Sri Lankan captain, who had been replaced by India, was well into the 25th minute when the rest of her team crumpled around her.
Sri Lanka was finally reduced to 59/9 in their allotted 20 overs by Chopra’s sharp bowling, with only Umaya Rathnayake (13 from 36 balls) able to reach double digits.
Only one wide was given away in the extras’ column, which demonstrated India’s determination to quickly recover. Titas Sadhu began the collapse by taking a wicket with the first delivery of the day, while Mannat Kashyap finished with 2/16.
The pursuit from India was as tenacious. Shafali Verma, the captain, acknowledged in the post-game interview that the squad had set a goal of eight overs to win, and they had achieved it. While the in-form Shweta Sehrawat stumbled for 13 just as she was getting into her stride, she took the lead and blasted a six and a four in her 10-ball 15. Dewmi Wijerathne got three wickets while Richa Ghosh smashed her first ball over the fence and was then caught off the following one.
Soumya Tiwari, who scored freely and reached 28 unbeaten after only 15 deliveries, smashed five boundaries, and Sri Lanka was helpless to stop her. She jumped upon everything that was lying about as India considerably increased their net run rate.
India must now anxiously wait to see what happens next in their Super Six group. They now have six points, compared to four apiece for Australia and Bangladesh. Both of those teams still have one more game left to play, and if they both win that game against the UAE, net run-rate will be the decisive factor.
